Master Arielle has been training in Tang Soo Do since age seven, teaching since she was eighteen, and she doesn't plan on stopping any time soon!  Holding the rank of Sah Dan (4th Degree) Master in the WTSDA, she enjoys managing our Daleville location and leading our Special Needs program.  When not on the Do Jang floor, she enjoys painting, hiking, spending time with family, and searching for the best buffalo chicken pizza.

   Master Darius White holds the rank of 4th Degree Black Belt in both Tang Soo Do and Hapkido.  His martial arts journey began in Tae Kwon Do classes at the age of 5, and he has several years of boxing experience.  He began training in Tang Soo Do at the age of 19. He began training in Hapkido in 2009 and attended his first Hapkido Summit in 2010. Master White enjoys analyzing techniques in our curriculum and discovering what the body can do. His goal is to be able to keep moving throughout his life.  Originally from Philadelphia, Master White now lives in Honesdale and manages our Honesdale and Hawley locations.

     Mr. John Potratz is a Fourth Degree Instructor Black Belt at Elite Martial Arts Institute and the World Tang Soo Do Association. He has been involved in Tang Soo Do for over 20 years and has been teaching for 18 years. He has also been instructing kickboxing for 15 years. He feels that kickboxing is great for self-defense and a workout at the same time. He enjoys Hapkido and Ki Gong training when he can.  Outside the Do Jang, he works construction on new and old homes. He likes to lift weights and exercise to stay fit and healthy.

     Dr. Snyder was born in 1952 in Johnstown, PA. He earned a B.S. in Chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh in 1974 and a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from Purdue University in 1981. He retired in 2021 from his position as Tenured Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Penn State University, where he had taught since 1981. Dr. Snyder began training as a white belt in 1974 and gained a 1st Degree Black Belt with the World Tae Kwon Do Federation while at Purdue. He joined the World Tang Soo Do Association at the invitation of Grandmaster Shin during the Nov. 13, 1982 WTSDA Charter Convention in Philadelphia. He has remained with the WTSDA since that time and continues training and teaching with Elite Martial Arts in Northeast Pennsylvania. He presently holds the rank of Oh Dan (5th Degree), with a particular interest in the relationship between science and the martial arts. He has instructed at Masters’ Clinics on the use of the tonfa and lectured on the meaning of “becoming a better person through Tang Soo Do”. His favorite pastimes (outside of the Do Jang) are reading history and science-fiction, motorcycling, and target shooting.

     Master George Conrad currently holds the rank of 6th Degree Black Belt, International Master Instructor from the World Tang Soo Do Association. Master Conrad began his training in 1981 at Scranton Karate School under Master Frank Trojanowicz. In 1985, he was recommended and began training with Grandmaster Jae Chul Shin. He has continued training with World Tang Soo Do grandmasters, masters, and instructors worldwide. Master Conrad has served on the WTSDA Board of Directors as Chairman of the Women and Children's Development Committee. During this time, the WTSDA Tiny Tiger/Little Dragons and World Ki Gong programs were developed. In addition to his Tang Soo Do experience, he has also trained in Judo, Hapkido, Boxing, Wrestling, and Arnis. His love of training and passion for teaching can be seen in every class. Master Conrad is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University with a degree in Biomedical and Clinical Engineering. Prior to retirement, he spent over 22 years in health care management. Having always been active, he has taught spinning, kickboxing, and fitness classes throughout NEPA. In 1981, he ran the Boston Marathon, finishing in the top 10% with a time of 2 hours 38 minutes. Master Conrad began playing drums at the age of 10 and continues to both play and perform.

     In 1993, Masters George and Ellie Conrad opened their own studio, Scranton Tang Soo Do Academy, eventually becoming Northeast Martial Arts. Upon closing that studio, they began teaching classes at Elite Martial Arts in Daleville. The Conrads have been married since 1976 and have two sons, both 3rd degree black belts. They are also the proud grandparents of eight grandchildren.

     Master Ellie Conrad is a World Tang Soo Do Association 4th degree Black Belt Instructor.  She began her training in 1985 at Scranton Karate School under the direction of Master Frank Trojanowicz.  Her specialty on the dojang floor is working with the youngest students. Fellow instructors have lovingly given her the nickname, “the dragon whisperer.”  Her true passion is teaching Women and Children's Self Defense.  Master Conrad has presented the “Self Defense/Self Awareness Program” throughout NEPA. This program is designed and taught exclusively by women and teaches simple techniques and strategies focusing on issues that directly affect women today.  She has also helped other World Tang Soo Do Association instructors develop their own programs.  Her Master’s thesis titled, “No One Cares More About You Than You” is a guidebook for instructors starting their own women’s self-defense programs. In addition to her martial arts accomplishments, Master Conrad is an avid runner and has completed four marathons and many shorter distance events.

  In 1993, Masters George and Ellie Conrad opened their own studio, Scranton Tang Soo Do Academy, eventually becoming Northeast Martial Arts. Upon closing that studio, they began teaching classes at Elite Martial Arts in Daleville. The Conrads have been married since 1976 and have two sons, both 3rd degree black belts. They are also the proud grandparents of eight grandchildren.

     Mr. Ackers began training in Tang Soo Do in 1997 at Kuenher's Martial Arts Institute under Master Randell Kuenher in Sciota, PA where he earned his Cho Dan rank.  He then trained at Rising Phoenix Martial Arts Academy (also in Sciota and later in Stroudsburg, PA) under Master Martha Heise and earned his E Dan rank. In 2023, he continued his training at Elite Martial Arts Institute in the Daleville, PA lcation under Master Arielle Sekula, where he earned his current rank of Sam Dan.  While he enjoys all aspects of Tang Soo Do, Mr. Ackers is particularly fond of self-defense and its practical day to day applications.  When not training, Mr. Ackers enjoys gardening, woodworking, and other outdoor activities.

     Mr. B began his training at Elite Martial Arts in 2012, together with his son Thor.   After years of Saturday classes under the instruction of Mr. Potratz, they both earned their black belts in 2018.  Mr. B earned his second degree (E Dan) black belt in 2021 and is actively training for his next promotion.  He's still in the dojang every Saturday, and very happy to be assisting and instructing alongside Mr. Potratz and Master White.  His favorite part about being an instructor is the opportunity to pass along the things he's learned to other students on their Tang Soo Do journey.  When he's not in the dojang, Mr. B spends his time playing with his dog Ace, bicycling, camping, and building things.

     Mr. Mazzga has been training since 2012, and now as a Sam Dan, he can tell you it's the best thing he's ever started. As a student, practicing self-defense and sparring were always his favorite parts of training. Now as an instructor, he likes teaching hyung as well as the basics. He also enjoy throwing in a lot of calisthenics. He plans on opening a small studio while he pursues his Double Bachelor's Degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. When he's not training, he often finds himself boating.

     Miss Melissa had no idea what to expect when she wandered into the EMAI Do Jang in 2019. What she found was far more than just a structured fitness activity. She is incredibly grateful to everyone at EMAI and the entire WTSDA community for their support and encouragement along her training journey. She currently holds the rank of Cho Dan (1st Degree Black Belt). She enjoys visiting other WTSDA schools and learning from a variety of instructors on her travels. To date, she has had the opportunity to train at 16 studios and can’t wait to add more! Since her introduction to Ki Gong at the WTSDA World Championship in 2022, it has become an integral part of her life, and she now teaches beginner Ki Gong classes at EMAI and online. Outside of the Do Jang, Miss Melissa has worked as a geoenvironmental engineer and enjoys solo and choral singing and playing the flute and handbells. She also loves reading, trivia, and cuddling with her cat.

  Mr. Murphy has been training hard and a loyal student of Tang Soo Do since the day he started training.  He has been with Elite Martial Arts Institute since that day and now, as a Black Belt, he has opened another location for Elite Martial Arts Institute in Estero, FL.